The Ultimate Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Decadent chocolate beckons with this irresistible hot fudge pudding cake that melts hearts and satisfies deepest dessert cravings.

Warm, gooey layers promise pure indulgence with every single bite.

Rich chocolate swirls create a magical texture that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

Each spoonful delivers a luxurious blend of soft cake and silky chocolate sauce that dances across your palate.

The recipe unfolds effortlessly, welcoming both novice and experienced bakers to create something truly spectacular.

This dessert works brilliantly for intimate gatherings or solo sweet moments when chocolate calls.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that turns ordinary evenings into delightful celebrations.

What Makes Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Special

• This hot fudge pudding cake requires minimal baking skills, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. The simple step-by-step process ensures anyone can create a decadent dessert without stress.
• Packed with rich cocoa and semisweet chocolate chips, this dessert guarantees a chocolate lover's paradise. Its gooey texture and intense flavor will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Perfect for casual family dinners, potlucks, or unexpected dessert cravings. The recipe adapts easily to different occasions, from cozy nights at home to special celebrations that call for something indulgent.
• Using common pantry staples, this cake eliminates the need for complicated shopping trips. With basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and cocoa, you can whip up this delightful dessert spontaneously.

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Ingredients

• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the cake's tender texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the dessert.
• Milk: Brings moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Butter, Egg Yolk, Vanilla Extract: Create richness, bind the batter, and enhance the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Chocolate Chips, Baking Powder, Salt: Provide extra chocolate bursts, help the cake rise, and balance the sweetness.
• Boiling Water: Creates a magical sauce beneath the cake during baking.

How to Bake Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350F (175C).

Grab an 8-inch square baking pan and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Whip Together the Cocoa Sprinkle

• Granulated sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder

Set this magical mixture aside for later sprinkling magic.

Step 3: Craft the Dry Foundation

• Flour
• Remaining sugar
• Remaining cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk everything until perfectly blended.

Step 4: Create Liquid Goodness

• Milk
• Melted butter
• Egg yolk
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until silky smooth.

Step 5: Marry the Mixtures

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Stir gently until just combined.

Toss in semisweet chocolate chips, distributing them evenly for surprise chocolate moments.

Step 6: Layer and Dust

Spread the thick batter into your prepared pan.

Sprinkle the reserved cocoa-sugar mixture completely over the top.

Step 7: Pour the Secret Sauce

Carefully pour boiling water over the batter.

Don’t stir – let the magic happen naturally.

Step 8: Bake to Gooey Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven.

Bake for 22 to 24 minutes.

Look for a cracked top with bubbling sauce peeking through.

A toothpick should come out with just a few clingy crumbs.

Step 9: Create Dessert Bliss

Let the cake cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Scoop out generous portions.

Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate decadence.

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Tips

• Stir batter gently and minimally to keep the cake tender and avoid tough texture. Stop mixing as soon as dry and wet ingredients are just combined.
• Use high-quality cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate chips to enhance the rich, deep chocolate flavor of the pudding cake.
• Pour boiling water carefully without stirring to create a natural sauce layer underneath the cake during baking.
• Let cake cool for 10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect gooey consistency and allow sauce to set slightly.
• Look for cracked top and bubbling sauce edges, and use the toothpick test to confirm a moist, fudgy interior without overbaking.

Store and Reheat Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap to prevent drying and maintain its moist texture.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month to preserve the cake's rich flavor and soft consistency.
• Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in a preheated 325F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent over-browning.
• Warm individual slices for 20-30 seconds on medium power. Add a small splash of water to prevent drying and restore the cake's gooey texture.

What Goes with Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

• Pair Decadent Chocolate Ice Cream: Elevate the rich, gooey hot fudge pudding cake with a scoop of premium chocolate ice cream that matches its intense chocolate flavor and provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm cake.
• Complement with Bold Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Port, which harmonizes with the cake's deep chocolate notes and adds a sophisticated adult twist to the dessert experience.
• Enhance with Fresh Raspberry Coulis: Drizzle a vibrant raspberry sauce over the cake to introduce a bright, tangy element that cuts through the richness and adds a beautiful color contrast to the dark chocolate dessert.
• Serve with Creamy Espresso: Pair with a shot of rich espresso or cappuccino, allowing the coffee's robust flavor to intensify the chocolate's depth and provide a classic dessert accompaniment that cleanses the palate.

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Versions

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Delight: Replace regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Swap milk with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk. Use dairy-free butter alternative or coconut oil instead of butter. Select dairy-free chocolate chips for complete allergen-friendly version.
• Vegan Chocolate Wonder: Replace egg yolk with mashed banana or flax egg. Use plant-based milk and vegan butter substitute. Select dark chocolate chips without milk solids to maintain rich chocolate flavor.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Treat: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining cake's moist texture. Select dark chocolate chips with minimal added sugars for healthier alternative.

FAQs

• Is this a complicated dessert to make?

No, this hot fudge pudding cake is surprisingly easy. It requires basic baking ingredients and simple mixing techniques. Even beginner bakers can successfully create this delicious dessert with minimal kitchen skills.

• Why do I pour boiling water over the batter without stirring?

The boiling water creates a magical transformation during baking. It helps form a rich, gooey sauce underneath the cake layer. This unique technique gives the dessert its signature fudgy texture without requiring complex steps.

• Can I substitute the chocolate chips?

You can use different types of chocolate chips like milk chocolate or dark chocolate. If you don’t have chips, chopped chocolate bar pieces work well too. Just ensure you use similar quantities for the best results.

• What makes the cake develop its cracked top?

The combination of the sugar-cocoa sprinkle and boiling water creates the signature cracked surface. During baking, the water and dry mixture interact to produce the distinctive textured top that’s both crispy and soft.

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 39 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Chocolate lovers rejoice with this Hot Fudge Pudding Cake that magically creates its own luscious sauce during baking. Rich, gooey chocolate goodness emerges from a simple batter, promising a dessert that delights with minimal effort and maximum indulgence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Components:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (divided)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup granulated sugar (divided)

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare an 8-inch square baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine half of the granulated sugar with unsweetened cocoa powder, setting aside for later use as a topping.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, additional cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until uniformly blended.
4. Create a separate bowl for wet ingredients, whisking milk, melted butter, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
5. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a thick batter consistency. Carefully incorporate semisweet chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the surface. Sprinkle the reserved cocoa-sugar mixture completely over the top.
7. Carefully pour boiling water over the batter without stirring, allowing it to settle naturally across the surface.
8. Bake for 22-24 minutes, watching for a cracked top with bubbling sauce underneath. The toothpick test should reveal a few moist crumbs when inserted.
9. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

• Adjust cocoa intensity by using dark or milk chocolate varieties for different flavor profiles.
• Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free and accommodate lactose-intolerant guests.
• Incorporate chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture and nutty undertones in the cake.
• Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option without compromising rich chocolate taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 24 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg